Randy Chandler
Blue cheese is a type of cheese made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mold. It's known for its pungent taste and scent, which is not to everyone's liking but is safe to eat. Blue cheese can go bad, just like any other cheese, and it's important to know how to spot this to avoid food poisoning. If blue cheese is slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink, or white mold, spots, or fuzz, it has likely gone bad. Good blue cheese is moist, tangy, and contains blue mold. To keep blue cheese fresh for longer, it should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and stored in the fridge at a temperature below 40 degrees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Blue cheese should be refrigerated to keep it fresh. |
| Expiry | It can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. |
| Freezing | If kept in the freezer at 0 degrees, it can last indefinitely. |
| Signs of Spoilage | Fuzzy, white, green, pink, or grey spots; gritty texture; strong ammonia-like smell; colour changes; slimy surface; biting taste. |
| Prevention | Wrapping in parchment or wax paper and storing in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the fridge. |
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What You'll Learn
How to store bleu cheese
Blue cheese is a delicate product that can be tricky to store. It is susceptible to oxidization and can lose its surface moisture, becoming drier and more crumbly. To prevent this, it is important to control the humidity and temperature of the storage environment.
Blue cheese should be stored in a climate with high humidity. It should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and then loosely in plastic wrap before being placed in the fridge. The refrigerator temperature should not be set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on consuming the cheese within a month, storing it in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will make it last indefinitely.
If you are storing blue cheese on the counter, it should be placed in a traditional cheese dome, but the dome must be lifted regularly to allow fresh air to reach the cheese. Blue cheese stored at room temperature will be ready to eat at any moment, but it will not last as long as refrigerated cheese.
It is important to note that blue cheese stored in plastic tupperware or wrapped in plastic or paper can trap moisture, leading to the growth of unwanted bacteria and the rapid degradation of the cheese. Therefore, it is recommended to use a breathable storage container like the Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates humidity and allows fresh air to circulate around the cheese.
Additionally, blue mold spores can travel through the air and contaminate other nearby cheeses, so it is important to ensure that all cheeses are wrapped appropriately when stored together.
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Signs of spoilage
Blue cheese is made using a type of mold called Penicillium, which is responsible for its distinct taste, smell, and appearance. While blue cheese is supposed to have mold, it can still go bad. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Slime: If you notice slime on the surface of the cheese, it has likely gone bad. This is a common issue with blue cheese crumbles, which have a shorter shelf life than a large hunk of blue cheese.
- Mold: While blue cheese is supposed to have mold, the growth of new, fuzzy mold in different colors such as white, green, pink, grey, or black can indicate spoilage.
- Ammonia-like smell: Blue cheese typically has a strong, pungent odor. However, if the smell becomes too ammonia-like or musty, it is likely spoiled.
- Changes in texture: If the blue cheese appears gritty or develops a wet or crumbly texture, it may be spoiled.
- Taste: Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste. If the cheese becomes too biting or too strong to enjoy, it has likely gone bad.
- Expiration date: Check the expiration date on the cheese. Blue cheese can usually be safely consumed one to two weeks past the expiration date when stored in the refrigerator.
It is important to note that proper storage is crucial to prevent spoilage. Blue cheese should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and stored in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Additionally, the refrigerator temperature should be set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain freshness.
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Bleu cheese shelf life
Blue cheese is made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mould. Certain types of mould produce compounds called mycotoxins, which are toxic to humans. However, the varieties of Penicillium used to produce blue cheese don't produce toxins and are safe to consume.
Blue cheese can last for a long time, depending on how it is stored. It should be refrigerated to keep it fresh. If left unrefrigerated, it should be discarded after two days. When kept in the refrigerator, blue cheese can last for about three to four weeks. It can be frozen and will last indefinitely, but it's recommended to consume it within six months.
Blue cheese contains edible mould that gives it a pungent taste and scent. However, it can still go bad, and knowing how to spot this is important. Good blue cheese is moist, tangy, and contains blue mould. Bad blue cheese may exhibit the following signs:
- Slimy or gritty texture
- Strong ammonia-like smell
- Colour changes, such as grey, green, pink, or white mould, spots, or fuzz
It's important to note that even if the cheese is months old, it doesn't necessarily mean it has gone bad. Blue cheeses don't necessarily "go bad"; they age and become stronger in flavour. However, at some point, the flavour may become too intense for your liking, and that's when you should discard it.
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Bleu cheese and food poisoning
Blue cheese is made using a type of mould called Penicillium, which is responsible for its distinct taste, smell, and appearance. While the mould used in blue cheese is safe to consume, other types of mould may grow on the cheese if it is not stored properly, causing it to spoil. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, cramps, and chills.
To prevent food poisoning, it is important to practice proper food safety and store blue cheese correctly. Blue cheese should be refrigerated and consumed within three to four weeks of opening. If left unrefrigerated, blue cheese should be discarded after two days. To maximise its shelf life, blue cheese should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and stored in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
When determining if blue cheese has gone bad, it is important to examine its appearance, smell, and taste. Fresh blue cheese is moist, tangy, and contains blue mould. If the cheese develops fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots, it has likely gone bad. Additionally, a strong ammonia-like smell or a change in taste can indicate spoilage.
While the mould in blue cheese is generally safe, it is important to note that people with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or pregnant women, should avoid blue cheese and other soft cheeses. Additionally, some individuals may have an allergy to the mould in blue cheese, which can result in an allergic reaction.
In summary, blue cheese can spoil if not stored properly, and consuming spoiled blue cheese can lead to food poisoning. To prevent this, it is crucial to practice proper food safety, store blue cheese correctly, and be aware of the signs of spoilage before consumption.
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Bleu cheese and mould
Blue cheese is a type of cheese made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mould. The mould is responsible for blue cheese's distinct taste, smell, and appearance. Blue cheese contains edible mould that helps give it a pungent taste and scent. The mould in blue cheese does not produce toxins and is safe to consume.
Blue cheese can go bad if it is not stored properly. If wrapped and refrigerated, blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely, although freezing it may slightly alter its texture and appearance. If you notice any signs of spoilage on your blue cheese, you should discard it immediately. In particular, fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots growing on the surface of blue cheese may indicate that it has gone bad. Additionally, blue cheese that develops a strong odour similar to ammonia may be spoiled. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps.
To keep your blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, make sure your refrigerator temperature isn't set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Chef Ollie George Cigliano recommends wrapping cheese in parchment or wax paper and storing it in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the fridge.
According to legend, one of the first blue cheeses, Roquefort, was discovered when a young boy, eating bread and ewes' milk cheese, abandoned his meal in a nearby cave after seeing a beautiful girl in the distance. When he returned months later, the mould (Penicillium roqueforti) had transformed his cheese into Roquefort.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is packed with mold, so it can be hard to tell if it's gone bad. If the cheese is slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink, or white mold, spots, or fuzz, it's likely gone bad. Good blue cheese is moist, tangy, and contains blue mold.
Blue cheese can last a very long time if stored properly. It should be refrigerated and will last in the fridge for around three to four weeks. If left out, it should be thrown away after two days.
Yes, consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. However, in most cases, eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese won't make you sick.
To prevent blue cheese from going bad, it's important to practice proper food safety and storage. Wrap the cheese in parchment or wax paper and store it in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Make sure the refrigerator temperature is not set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
